Happy Easter!

Parker experienced his first politically correct "Treasure Hunt" at preschool, but the boy was not to be fooled. He knew it was an "Easter Egg Treasure Hunt", The treasure hunt was on Friday which Parker does not attend then. Since Tony has the day off, Fridays are Daddy and Parker's day off together. Mrs. Penny and Parker appealed to Daddy's fun loving side and asked if Parker could attend. Of course, Daddy couldn't say no....
Easter festivities included having Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and Jillian. Since the weather was bad, they went fishing for eggs in the pool. It was a hoot!
Thanks to John and Kathryn Collett for hosting the 2nd annual Easter Egg hunt at Tillis Park! Thanks too to all the volunteers who braved the cold weather to help out! Parker was sooo excited to find a golden egg which he turned in for a stuffed animal...I've learned you can never have too many. Parker treats each one like a beloved pet. Tony and I just shrug and say at least it's not a real one.

Gracie and Parker are delighted with their golden egg prizes!

We had been at the park since 7:30 AM. Tony helped with the set up, but Parker and I spent our time running back and forth to the car to warm up. When it was finally over, Parker fell asleep a happy boy waiting for Daddy to finish help cleaning up.
A future architect in the making...maybe!
With all the fun surrounding Easter, we remember the true meaning. We told Parker that we celebrate Easter because Jesus lives. Parker promptly replied, "Doesn't He live every day?"

Hooray for Hollywood!

Saturday was one of those days where you hit the ground running! I started off the morning taking my Math Club students to the Regional Math Competition. Anyone who knows my logical side finds this quite funny. Despite their sponsor, my students took four of the top ten spots. Two of them will be going on to the state competition! It was thrilling to see the victory on the students' faces and the pride of their parents. Then it was home for a quick lunch and off to the church building to help get ready for Trivia Night. I planned to take a ton of pictures, but only managed to get Parker with his very first Lunchable. Everyone had a lot of fun with the theme "Hooray for Hollywood" including a table of "rehab" celebrities. Thanks to everyone who came, everyone who donated fantastic baskets, John and Christy Cole, Chris and Amie Jones, and the Lord's blessing, over $1600 was raised for the Children's Ministry at McKnight Road! Now that is something to cheer about!

What A Week!

My Mom, Dad, and Pa
Tony playing with Bobbie (my grandma), Great Uncle Ike, and JB
So excited on the first day of preschool
Making friends already

The fun has just come to an end or has it just really begun? Yes, birthday week is over! It has been an important week and not just because it's my birthday! Parker started preschool! Mrs. Carol continues to battle breast cancer with another surgery this past week and chemo to start in a week. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. Parker started at Adventures Learning Center after much research. So far - so good. Since we were blessed with two snow days, Parker only went two days. A big thank you to my Dad, Christy, and Marcia who helped us out with Parker while we waited for Carol's test results and researched!!! Now back to birthday week! We started celebrating with a trip to Kansas City. My grandpa and I always celebrate our birthdays together since his is on the 15th. Happy 82nd Pa!! The weather didn't cooperate with shopping so we did a lot of card playing. Canasta is the game that my family has been playing since before I was born. We did manage to eat at several of my favorite spots in KC. On my actual birthday, Tony was very sweet to deliver Bread Co. to me and all my teacher friends for lunch. He was definitely the man of the hour! Thanks again honey! Since Tony didn't have a truck Wed. night, he was able to use a vacation day which was a big treat to have him home for dinner! Parker and Tony made Ann Haupt's yummy Chicken A La Crescent. I opened presents then we dashed to church. Birthday week continued with two snow days and celebrating with friends throughout the weekend. Plus, my mom and dad delivered new family room furniture that was used in a builder's model home that my dad sold! Come by and sit a spell! What great memories we made this week. I must admit that I have been very spoiled this week! Thank you everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!

Snow Much Fun!

First you have to do the work-

to get to have the fun!

Tony's been out of commission for three days with a sinus infection, but nothing was going to keep him from going sledding with Parker. Since Parker's sled was a two-seater, we swung by the Coles to get Jillian. Although this was the first time sledding for both of them, they held their own at the middle school. They were the youngest ones there, but they showed no fear. After wiping out twice and getting faces full of snow, they thought lunch at McDonalds was a good idea!

January 11, 1949

We love you! We can't wait to celebrate with you next weekend!

Daddy's Little Helper

Yes, the mess free way is in the tidy whities!
Then into the bathtub he goes!

We started the New Year by tackling the next item on the home improvement list. We painted the hearth room. It was cloudy when we started and dark when we finished so we are excited to see it tomorrow in sunlight (hopefully!). Whenever there is a project involving tools or paint, we can count on Parker to lend his ever so helpful hand. What would we do without his expertise? (Probably finish in record time and clean up fewer spills, but where would the fun in that be?)

Gifts of the Season

As I have been shopping and mentally going over my gift list, I started thinking about the gifts that I had received throughout the years. The gifts that have meant the most cannot be found at the local mall or bought on EBay. As I was driving down memory lane, I couldn't contain my gratitude for all I've been given. Days have passed since I started my gift inventory, but these gifts keep giving.

Thank you Tony for the gift of partnership ~ knowing that you will be there in times of great joy and deep sorrow is comfort beyond measure

Thank you Parker for the gift of parenthood ~ I'm really trying not to screw it up or take it for granted.

Thank you Dad for the gift of honor ~ all the times you warmed the cold car for a 3 minute drive to the junior high, starting the day with a smile and fun craziness, and reminding me of all the talents God had given me

Thank you Mom for the gift of selflessness ~ I have never seen you ignore a need whether it is a student, coworker, family member, or stranger. In spite of Oprah and everyone else who says that you have to put yourself first, I have never seen you buy into that theory. You inspire me to give more of myself everyday.

Thank you JB for the gift of cheering for the underdog ~ You can spot a worthy cause faster than anyone I know

Thank you Bobbie and Pa for the gift of growing old gracefully ~ You have showed me that you are never too old for an adventure or too old to be hip

Thank you John and Carol for the gift of mentoring~ Your wisdom and service inspires us everyday

Thank you to my third grade team for the gift of dedication ~ You show up day after day, year after year ready to do the impossible and love the some of the "unlovable". I teach because of you.

Thank you to all my friends for the gift of laughter ~ Every time we get together for a meal, a game, scrapbooking, whatever, my heart is always lighter

Thank you for all my gifts and Merry Christmas!